A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

7. M.CluviusRufus, consul suffectus in A. D. 45. (J. AJ 2.1; Suet. Nero 21; D. C. 63.14.) He was governor of Hispania in the time of Galba, B. C. 69. (Tac. list. 1.8.) On the death of Galba he first swore allegiance to Otho, but soon afterwards he appears as a partisan of Vitellius. Hilarius, a freedman of Vitellius, having accused him of aspiring to the independent government of Spain, Cluvius went to Vitellius, who was then in Gallia, and succeeded in clearing himself. He remained in the suite of the emperor, though he still retained the government of his province. (Tac. Hist. 2.65.) Tacitus speaks of him (Hist. 4.43) as distinguished alike for his wealth and for his eloquence, and says, that no one in the time of Nero had been endangered by him. In the games in which Nero made his appearance, Cluvius acted as herald. (Suet. Nero 21; D. C. 63.14.) It is probably this same Cluvius whom we find mentioned as an historian. He wrote an account of the times of Nero, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius. (Tac. Ann. 13.20, 14.2; Plin. Ep. 9.19.5.)

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